The Music Department held its last GCSU Jazz Jam Session of the semester at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.

The jazz jam sessions are free to the public and held on select Tuesdays throughout the fall and spring semesters of every school year. The events are held at Amici, the popular Milledgeville bar and restaurant.

The event had an excellent turnout, ranging from college students to families and professors, all of whom were excited to hear the performances.

Jackson Brennan, a junior mass communication major, went to the jam session on Tuesday and enjoyed the atmosphere. 

“I try to come to the jazz nights whenever I can,” Brennan said. “I like jazz and Amici’s, so it’s always a good time.”

After a few opening words to introduce the event and a word of gratitude to the audience for attending the last jazz session, the music began. 

The night began with the faculty ensemble, who introduced themselves by playing an original jazz arrangement. The group was made up of GCSU music department professors, all of whom played different instruments. 

The faculty ensemble performed three songs. Each selection was a light, upbeat arrangement. 

One familiar song the faculty group played was the jazzy opening theme of Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.”

The second group to perform was the student ensemble, made up of GCSU students. The student group performed lighter, bluesier jazz compositions and featured vocalists who accompanied certain arrangements.

Some student players, such as the flute and trombone, had their own solos within the arrangements. 

Lori Herold, an attendee of the event, enjoyed the vocals of the student group. 

“The third song they played was beautiful,” Herold said. “The singer’s voice and the different instruments were great together.”

The student ensemble played four songs. The third arrangement the group played was Nina Simone’s “Love Me or Leave Me.” 

The next groups to perform were a mixture of students, faculty members and community members. They played three songs, starting with a medium, swing-style arrangement. 

The performance featured vocals alongside some of the arrangements and played several recognizable jazz pieces, such as “Impressions” by John Coltrane and “Work Song” by Nat Adderly.

Before the jazz jam session opened up to all performers, the improv group took to the stage. This group brought a unique sound and performance to the stage and played many energized arrangements.

The night was wrapped with a variety of different performers and arrangements. 

“My favorite part of the night was towards the end of the night when the performers walked through the restaurant,” Herold said. “I thought that was a fun twist.”

The jazz jam session at Amici was a notable evening that highlighted the talented musicians of GCSU and the Milledgeville community. 

“I’ve been organizing and directing the GC jazz jams since 2015,” said Chris Enghauser, associate professor of music. “Dr. Maureen Horgan started the jams several years before that and passed it on to me when she retired.”

The jazz sessions have become an important event for the students in the GCSU music department.

“One of the ways the jams are important to the students is because they get to hear the faculty perform jazz on a regular basis,” Enghauser said. “The faculty plays a few tunes first so they can hear their professors and teachers performing jazz at a professional level on the same show they play.” 

Playing alongside experienced musicians and being in an upbeat environment are great ways for students to learn about performing jazz music.

“More importantly, the students get a chance to work on their own skills in jazz improvisation and small ensemble playing while performing in public on a regular basis,” Enghauser said.

Over the years, Enghauser has enjoyed putting the jazz nights together and sharing music with different audiences.

“My favorite part of the jazz jams without a doubt is watching young college students getting super excited hearing jazz music for the first time,” Enghauser said, “It is exciting and fun music and always draws people in when they give it a chance.”

There were many students in attendance on Tuesday who came to the event because of their love for jazz. 

“Hearing jazz in person is an incredible experience,” Brennan said. “There’s no better way to listen to jazz than this.”

Hosting the event in downtown Milledgeville brings a wide variety of attendees to the jazz session. 

Tuesday’s Jazz Session was the last of the spring semester. However, there is no sign of stopping the events. 

According to Enghauser, the music department plans to keep the events going as long as they are able. More information about upcoming jazz jam sessions can be found on Amici’s social media platforms, as well as on the GCSU music department’s website and Instagram.